Rosemary Barbee Morrow

Rosemary Barbee Morrow, January 3, 1943 – February 12, 2025, age 82, married to the late Robert Dowden Morrow Jr. on June 16, 1968, her parents are the late China Gamblin and Cletus Aubry Barbee, and her brother was the late Charles Barbee. She passed away on Wed. Feb. 12, 2025, at her home in Brandon, MS. Visitation will be held on Tues. Feb. 18, 2025 from 9:30am-12pm at Brandon First Methodist Church. Funeral Services will be held at 12pm on Tues. Feb. 18, 2025, at Brandon First Methodist Church with burial to follow in the Old Brandon Cemetery in Brandon, MS. Ott & Lee Funeral Home in Brandon, MS is handling arrangements.

Rosemary was born on Jan. 3, 1943, in Bruce, MS. After graduating from Lab Technician School, she moved to Brandon in 1966. She worked for Dr. Bob Schuster before marrying Robert Morrow on June 16, 1968. Rosemary was involved in many organizations in Brandon, some of which she served as President. She was involved and committed to The Brandon Garden Club, The Historical Society, and Jackson Symphony League. She served as a Board member of the Rankin Health Foundation and a lifetime member of the Junior Auxiliary of Brandon. She was a faithful member of Brandon First Methodist Church of Brandon until her health no longer allowed her to participate. 

Survivors included her Children : Robert Dowden Morrow, III

Step-Children : Randall Dowden Morrow (Randy) – wife Betsy, Deborah Morrow Harrell (Debbie), Donna Morrow Ramsdell – husband Dick, Late Ronald Nathan Morrow 

Sister In Laws: Betty Ann Morrow (late David Lewis Morrow), Betty Barbee

Grandchildren and great grandchildren: Robert Howard Morrow, Staci Morrow Tullos – Bobbie and Daniel, Bethany Morrow Johnson – husband Vance, Harlee (18), Emily Morrow Feathers – husband Patrick, Lottie (16), Oakley (11), Melanie Harrell Garner – husband Joe, Whitley (10), Addey Rose (8), Melissa Harrell Mckissack, Hannah (5), Cynthia Louise Harrell (53), Leslie Thomas, Elijah (15), Late Kristen Thomas 

Nieces and Nephews: Sandy Barbee Bivona – husband John, Christina (27), Jonathan (25), Heather(30) Joey Barbee- wife Anita, Nicole (30), Denise (28), Joseph (26), Paul (15); David Morrow Jr. – wife Sarah, David, Sarah Ashley, Bob Morrow – late Sue, Bailey and Adam

The family would like to thank the following caregivers including Visiting Angels, Della Williams, and Sarah Roberson. Special thanks to Lou Vetta Mayers for being housekeeper and a dear friend for over 40 years. 

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7

 Tribute to Rosemary:

 I’m not sure if she was magical or just was really good at making magic but everything, she touched was grand. Her house was grand, she threw grand parties, and she had 9 “grand” children. All inherited by marriage but she was ours and we were hers. And though we were all very different with different goals and personalities she loved us all so much. Christmas was the biggest family event at The Morrow house…. The one time a year we were all together. Big tree, hors d’oeuvres, and the most beautifully wrapped presents she had spent weeks wrapping using a hot glue gun so we couldn’t peek. She watched with delight as we would all open the same gift, usually a piece of jewelry that she had picked out months before. Everything with her was grand, classy, and fun. She arrived to Brandon from Bruce MS and once she married Robert and they had Dowden, She planted her roots and began volunteering all her time to making Brandon better. The hospital, the historical society, and the garden club. Making it all better and granderthan she found it. Rosemary was grand and one of a kind, a good friend, a great mom, a mentor to many, and most of all the best Grandmother. 

-Bethany Morrow Johnson